“The night I spent with him. So that was…” I let my focus blur as if pondering the question at length. “Two years ago.”

“Thank you for the information.” He lifted my hand and softly kissed my fingers, lingering with the barest touch.

Every iota of my being gravitated toward that beautiful mouth. But distrust kept me rooted.

His warm, masculine scent surrounded me, his hand firm around mine as he regarded me closely.

The rich red waistcoat and blue frock with gold embellishments, chiseled countenance, and physique worthy of envy—he was the paragon of English nobility.

Until he licked my fingers.

His tongue, firm and hot, dipped into the valley between my knuckles, conjuring images of another slit he could have been laving with the same delectable pressure.

“You’re beautiful, Bennett.” His sensual blue eyes jumped to mine and blinked. “I’ve never said those words to a woman. Never thought to say them until I saw you.”

A sound rose in my throat, one of startled disbelief and abject need. His kisses traveled to my thumb, and he wrapped his supple lips fully around it. I fell into paradise with my mouth open.

His free hand clutched my head beneath the rim of the hat, and he pulled me into him, trapping my knuckle with his teeth. He didn’t bite, but he looked as though he wanted to desperately.

He owed me a real kiss, and his hooded eyes told me he was thinking of it. Loosening the clamp of his jaw, he released my thumb. His face drifted closer, his head ducking until his hat bumped mine.

The hand on my head began a slow caress, firm fingers stroking the base of my braid, holding me still, making me wait with shortening breaths. He erased another inch until nothing remained but his mouth and his strength restraining me so close, so exquisitely captive.

His gaze flitted to my lips, adding extra beats to my heart. Then his eyes drifted over my shoulder, snagging on the wall behind me.

I knew exactly where his focus went. I felt Priest’s sketched eyes staring at my back. He didn’t even need to be present to control my life and everyone in it.

“Ashley.” I touched his stony jaw.

His gaze remained locked behind me. I’d already lost him, the moment between us gone, in lieu of a new target, another pirate to catch. Of course, he would choose duty over me.

“Time for you to leave.” He clutched my arm and ushered me toward the exit.

I dug in my heels. “Wait a sec—”

“Do as I command and make haste.”

“You owe me for that information.”

“I agreed to a kiss. Not a time or place.”

“You’re evil.” I jerked my arm from his grip. “Far more wicked than any man on that wall.”

“Perhaps you should learn how to negotiate.” He slammed a hand into my backside, sending me along. “Go.”